Elevator Escapade: Tsukikage

Prologue: The Elevator Ride

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It was a day like any other for Karasuno's volleyball team as they wrapped up a successful tournament. The gym buzzed with excitement, teammates celebrating their hard-fought victories and exchanging playful banter. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and energy drinks, the sounds of laughter and cheers echoing off the walls.

"Did you see that last set? Incredible!" Hinata exclaimed, his eyes shining with enthusiasm as he bounced around, recounting the final moments of their last match.

"Yeah, but we almost blew it at the end," Kageyama replied, shaking his head. "We need to work on our communication."

Tsukishima, leaning casually against a wall, rolled his eyes. "Or you just need to stop getting distracted by your fan club, King."

Kageyama shot him a glare, but before he could respond, Yamaguchi chimed in, "Come on, guys! Let's head to the awards ceremony before they start without us!"

As the team gathered their belongings, they filed into the narrow hallway that led to the elevator. The cramped space echoed with their chatter and laughter, the anticipation of celebration mingling with the thrill of competition. Kageyama fell in step beside Tsukishima, their usual bickering fading into a comfortable rhythm.

"Hey, you guys are going to want to take the elevator," one of the event staff called, waving them toward the metal doors. "It's a long walk up to the main hall."

"Fine, but let's hurry up," Tsukishima replied, pushing his glasses up his nose as he stepped inside. Kageyama followed, followed closely by Hinata, Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi, and the rest of the team.

The elevator was packed, with all twelve members crammed inside. Kageyama found himself pressed against the wall, with Tsukishima standing directly behind him. The doors closed, and the elevator lurched upward before suddenly coming to an abrupt stop.

"Seriously?" Tsukishima sighed, the sound tinged with irritation. The others shifted, murmurs of confusion filling the tight space.

"Did we break it?" Yamaguchi asked, his voice wavering.

"Great job, Tsukishima," Kageyama shot back, a mix of annoyance and embarrassment bubbling up inside him.

"Me? The event staff person said to take the elevator! Plus you were the one that rushed us!" Tsukishima countered, his voice rising above the rest.

"Guys, chill!" Hinata exclaimed, trying to diffuse the tension. "We'll be fine! They'll get us out!"

But as the seconds stretched into uncomfortable minutes, the confined space began to feel suffocating. The team's chatter faded into nervous whispers, and Kageyama felt the heat radiating from Tsukishima's body behind him. The closeness sent a jolt through him that had nothing to do with their predicament.

Amidst the chaos and the rising panic, a strange sense of camaraderie began to form, ignited by their shared experience. Little did they know, this would be the beginning of something unexpected, a connection that would evolve from rivalry into something much more profound.

As the elevator lights flickered, Kageyama couldn't shake the feeling that this awkward situation might just change everything.

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